this post was submitted on 05 Sep 2023
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Teslas are bursting into flames in Florida after being flooded during Hurricane Idalia | Saltwater and lithium-ion batteries are a bad combination (www.techspot.com)
submitted 1 year ago by L4s to c/technology
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Teslas are bursting into flames in Florida after being flooded during Hurricane Idalia | Saltwater and lithium-ion batteries are a bad combination::undefined

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[–] PaulDevonUK 10 points 1 year ago (4 children)

I was under the impression that battery packs are watertight so where is the fire starting?

[–] Know_not_Scotty_does 21 points 1 year ago (1 children)

They are likely IP rated in some form or fashion, that means they are rated for protection for a period of time at a certain depth. Deeper water or longer time in water means you still get water past the seals.

It could also be a control fault or short on the electrical side allowing the other components to catch fire or overloading the batteries causing them to overheat and catch fire.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

Also, IP rating is not valid for salt water or any other fluids such as alcohol, only fresh water

[–] fuckwit_mcbumcrumble 16 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I doubt their designs are hurricane + flood proofed.

Also the high voltage disconnect/fuse is under the seats. Flood that and you've got a problem.

[–] [email protected] -1 points 1 year ago

I truly doubt anybody at Tesla thinks that far ahead. A prime example of this was that magnificent cyber truck showcase.

[–] [email protected] 12 points 1 year ago (1 children)

If manufactured properly, they should be.

Water ingress can happen where cables plug into places - literally like a straw that draws water towards the battery pack. Again, if properly sealed, this should not be an issue.

But I can't imagine any modern vehicle surviving being flooded by saltwater. If not the battery then any other electrical component, or even the motor, would corrode over the coming days, weeks, months.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

If previous incidents are anything to go by, most batteries that actually react that way are physically damaged during the Hurricane part. Usually the teslas are fine even completely submerged.

https://youtu.be/SUNw8-rHHV4

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago

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